MD or NOVA?

[Njrover0216]

MD isn't getting any better. My taxes have double in 4 years on a duplex. I went from 1400 a yr to 2800 a yr. Plus my BGE bill has doubled...it is getting expensive here too.

[teleblazer]

Originally Posted by Njrover0216

MD isn't getting any better. My taxes have double in 4 years on a duplex. I went from 1400 a yr to 2800 a yr. Plus my BGE bill has doubled...it is getting expensive here too.

Only BGE can control their price structure but paying more in taxes for a home that appreciates is expected.

[Skimom53]

Originally Posted by sparks5967

We are a family of 4 relocating from South FL to the DC metropolitan area in June. We have pretty much focused our home search on the NOVA area upon the recommendation of friends that live up there; however, we are recently getting input from friends that live in the DC metro area that we should consider MD.

Up until now, we've been looking closely at the Springfield/Burke VA area as well as Alexandria VA. In a nutshell- we are a dual career family (one going to downtown DC, the other to the area near Reagan Natl) with 2 young elementary children and our priorities are: very good schools, family-oriented neighborhood with a 45-minute max commute to downtown DC (to include drive time and metro). We hope to buy a single family home with $550 k being our max. Any thoughts or insight would be appreciated.

Regards,
sparks5967

I'd recommend the Springfield-Burke area, because we used to live there; just don't go near Lorton (now instead of the jail they have gangs in the new HS there). The S-B area is full of decent schools, Springfield has a metro stop at the shopping mall there, and it's family friendly with lots of soccer leagues, swim teams, churches, temples and the like. Just pay attention to which HS cluster you'd be in when buying a home; ask the RE agent for WRITTEN data on the local HS, or look it up on the web yourself (I think you can at washingtonpost.com). W-Springfield is better than Lee HS; Lee HS is better than Edison; Lake Braddock HS is decent too. Good luck!

[FredinMD]

As you may have heard, we have a bit of a traffic issue in the DC area. That being said, there are very few people that wouldn't rank the Springfield area highways as the absolute wort in the area, and with all the growth hours south of Springfield, it's not going to get better. Schools and the other things you're looking for are there.

I would lean toward western areas of the beltway, MD and VA, but home prices are an issue. If you need the name of a realtor in MD, let me know. I know a guy who knows the Bethesda and surrounding areas very well.

Best of luck and welcome to DC.

[silverspringer]

I would stick with NoVa not because of schools or personal property taxes, but just that if one of you is working in Crystal City it would make sense to live in NoVa to shorten the commute for that person. There is Virginia Railway Express service to Crystal City, I think (and DC), so you might look into that.

[nanlev]

Hi there,

Be prepared to spend a lot for a single family home in NoVa. I live there now and my husband and I cannot find anything that has 4 bedrooms and 2 baths for less than $600,000 that you don't have to sink more $$$ in for renovations. We currently live in South Arlington. Perhaps you'll have better luck with Springfield, not sure. Perhaps a larger townhome would be a good option or moving further out, which means a longer commute.

Schools are good in NoVa, but I'm sure there are pockets of Maryland that have good schools. Montgomery County I believe is known for good schools, but the area is also pricey. You could try Silver Spring, more affordable and in Montgomery. Good luck!

Nancy

Originally Posted by sparks5967

We are a family of 4 relocating from South FL to the DC metropolitan area in June. We have pretty much focused our home search on the NOVA area upon the recommendation of friends that live up there; however, we are recently getting input from friends that live in the DC metro area that we should consider MD.

Up until now, we've been looking closely at the Springfield/Burke VA area as well as Alexandria VA. In a nutshell- we are a dual career family (one going to downtown DC, the other to the area near Reagan Natl) with 2 young elementary children and our priorities are: very good schools, family-oriented neighborhood with a 45-minute max commute to downtown DC (to include drive time and metro). We hope to buy a single family home with $550 k being our max. Any thoughts or insight would be appreciated.

Regards,
sparks5967

[expateach]

As a former teacher in both Maryland and Virginia schools, go to VA. Prince William County, Fairfax, Fauquier, and Falls Church all have excellent schools.

[kdavani]

Originally Posted by nanlev

Hi there,
Schools are good in NoVa, but I'm sure there are pockets of Maryland that have good schools. Montgomery County I believe is known for good schools, but the area is also pricey. You could try Silver Spring, more affordable and in Montgomery. Good luck!

Nancy

Yes I agree. But you can find a good single family home in better school districts than silverspring area (i am not trying to spark a silverspring vs. gaithersburg debate). But you could live in north potomac area and your kids could go to wootton or quince orchard which are both very good schools. With the housing market down, the single family homes that used to be 700k are now 500-600k which is in your range. I know this because my parents sold their house recently. You could also live in a townhouse in kentlands which is an extremely safe and great community for raising kids.

My mother teaches in MoCo and it is a great school district, especially towards the higher priced areas. I'm not sure why expateach said she would choose NOVA schools over Moco. They are both nationally ranked school districts and if you buy a house in the good areas of both areas your kids will be attending an amazing school

[vivo]

isn't MontgomeryBblair high in silver spring better than quince orchard?